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Understanding Selichot

To be honest, I wish I knew how to guide my experience through rabbinical school a little clearer. I’m finding quickly that this is really the type of place you have to live at for a while before you can feel like ‘ you really get it ‘ . It’s not a scary place … intimidating regularly…. but over all, the whole place is really filled with a special essence. Coming from such a medley of Judaism over the last several years, this place is full on in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever really known! It’s enthralling!

The really exciting piece about rabbinical school is all the observation I am able do. Watching the ways that the “older” students davin (pray) or engage in conversation …. or hear the questions they ask – its beyond enlightening. These people are so real – and their passions and hearts are so extraordinary.

My total faith for Judaism has been restored beyond expectation; the teachers, the students…. brilliant.

That being said….let’s talk about what I view as one of the most intimately daunting moments of our tradition. Selichot.

First, we are fallible human beings, and it is easy to forget things, especially things we do not want to remember. Going over a list jogs the memory and the heart. Secondly, we approach the High Holy Days both as individuals and as a community, responsible for one another. While I am not responsible for the sins of my neighbor, he and I are responsible for each other’s well-being, and so his sins affect me. Finally, some sins are communal: for instance, we may talk about “the poor” and the need to “love the stranger” but what action have we as a community actually taken? Are we a community who fosters sinful behavior such as gossip? The lists bring up those questions as well.

And just days ago, Rabbi Sharon Brous (of http://www.IkarLA.org) spoke about how our actions are not just directly effecting ourselves, but are greatly impacting our community – saying that the Jewish philosophy of kharama deals with the entire community- not just the individual.

So…with all this being said – Why do we have this holy’day? What’s really going on here??

That by us acknowledging our shortcomings or transgressions, we are allowing for our community to be a stronger, better, brighter place – there in helping to make this world a better place.

So as we move through this week, preparing for a final Shabbos of 5772, may we find strength and courage in baring our souls in the deepest parts of ourselves – and be willing to receive all the love, mercy and compassion that the Divine has to offer into this new year 5773.

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2 responses to “Understanding Selichot”

Thank you for the mention, Aviva. I particularly like the place you took it: that we strengthen our communities by digging deep within ourselves this week. I look forward to following your blog and your path through AJU. Shana tovah umetukah!